UPDATED Thursday, October 9, 2008 --- 12:50 p.m.
According to the Wisconsin State Journal:
A deliberately set fire caused an estimated $100,000 damage at the Phillips Furniture and Appliance store on 30th Street, on the south side of Monroe this morning.
Monroe Fire Chief Daryl Rausch said firefighters responded to a report of a fire at the store at 2:18 a.m., and found the building in flames. Six area departments joined in fighting the fire, which started in a cache of discarded mattresses stored outside, Rausch said. The fire reached inside the steel building and into the attic or space above the suspended ceiling, though most of the damage was caused by smoke, he said.
Firefighters left the scene at about 10 a.m., he said.
"We are certain the fire started in the discarded mattresses outside, they were set on fire, it was arson. We are looking for information," said Rausch.
No one had been in the store after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, and no injuries were reported.
Anyone with information on the fire can contact the Monroe Police Department at 608-329-2400.
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Thursday, October 9, 2008 --- 5:00 a.m.
A two alarm fire broke out at a Green county Furniture store over night. It started just before 2:30 this morning on 30th Street in Monroe at the Phillips Furniture store. The fire is out and crews are investigating the cause of the fire. There's heavy damage to the outside of the building with some smoke inside.